“So, finally, is it my turn!? Oh, by the way… how will you introduce yourself, Hal?”
“As for my self-introduction, Alicia has already explained everything, so I think I’ll skip it. Besides, Seira seems to know me well enough to call me by a derogatory name… isn’t it unnecessary now!?”
In response to my provocative statement, Seira’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but she elegantly ignored me.
Meanwhile, Mariabel, Seria’s escort knight, seemed to be forcing a smile, but she didn’t seem to have any intention of complaining to my face.
It’s a bit childish, but I’ll keep it a secret that I felt I had won.
Well, what I won is debatable…
“Understood. Then, my self-introduction marks the end of the introductions for the Party Members from the Western Nations. In truth, a few individuals, including the troublesome one (Sophie), are absent and acting separately, but I will have them introduce themselves when we are reunited.”
Lyushenne then slowly pushed back her luxurious golden curls.
With a more refined movement than Liliana’s, she removed the mask shaped like a Valkyrie.
Naturally, her unparalleled beauty was revealed.
Instantly, an indescribable presence befitting an Imperial Princess dominated the scene.
Her gaze, reflected in her cool ice-blue eyes, was captivating as she looked at Seira and Mariabel, exuding the majesty of a superior being.
The very atmosphere in the dining hall changed.
“Ah, could it be you, Your Highness, the ‘Beautiful Princess of Ice and Flame’?! I can’t believe an Imperial Princess of the Wahl Imperial Kingdom is here! To think that the two preeminent flowers of high society have gathered here…”
Mariabel’s eyes widened as she saw Lyushenne’s unveiled face, realizing her true identity.
Since the Hasthatitia Kingdom belonged to the Western Nations, Mariabel must have seen Lyushenne at social events.
In truth, both Liliana and Lyushenne had revealed their faces during the meal, but perhaps due to their focus on probing each other, they hadn’t noticed their true identities.
Mariabel’s face contorted in surprise.
Seira also froze upon hearing Mariabel’s words.
Perhaps she was simply too shocked by the unexpected appearance of a noble person.
Come to think of it, there are various titles for ‘Princess,’ such as ‘Imperial Princess,’ ‘Royal Princess,’ and ‘Daughter of a Duke.’
A ‘Daughter of a Duke’ refers to the daughters of high-ranking nobles like Dukes, Marquesses, or Border Earls who have submitted to a sovereign, or the daughters of Grand Dukes of vassal states that have become independent from their suzerain.
A ‘Royal Princess’ is the daughter of a royal family, making it the most common title. In the Eastern Nations, they are sometimes called ‘Imperial Princesses.’
And then there are ‘Imperial Princesses’ like Lyushenne. The character ‘皇’ (Imperial) seems to mean ‘king of kings.’
Therefore, it means ‘princess of princesses’ who commands the royalty of vassal states.
This is why even Mariabel, a former Princess Knight from a small country, was so surprised.
“Yes. I am Lyushenne Silveria Wahl, the Fourth Imperial Princess. Please make my acquaintance, Saintess Seira, and Knight Mariabel.”
Seira and Mariabel were dumbfounded by Lyushenne’s introduction.
“It is an immeasurable honor to be granted an audience with your esteemed Highness, the Imperial Princess.”
Mariabel naturally knelt and offered a formal greeting.
It was probably impossible for someone like Mariabel, a princess of a small country, to directly address the Imperial Princess of a great nation in the social circles of the past.
Her attitude conveyed a significant difference in status.
“Mariabel, what was that attitude just now!? What was that all about?? Aren’t Temple Knights separate from worldly power and authority?”
Seira, unfamiliar with the common sense of royalty and nobles, seemed to be confused again by Mariabel’s overly courteous behavior, which bordered on a vassal’s deference.
She was perplexed by Mariabel’s subservient attitude towards Lyushenne, a former Princess Knight.
Then Mariabel began to explain to Seira.
“Saintess Seira, the fact that an Imperial Princess of the Wahl Imperial Kingdom is alive is a major event that could shake the human world.”
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“It’s not an exaggeration; it’s the truth. Currently, the Espana Imperial Kingdom controls most of the human world, but the resistance forces that wish for the restoration of the Wahl Imperial Kingdom, which once boasted the largest territory among human nations, cannot be ignored. If an Imperial Princess were to become their ‘banner of glory,’ the very existence of human nations could be greatly shaken.”
Mariabel’s explanation made them realize the significance of Lyushenne’s presence.
Perhaps it was because Seira belonged to the Asgard Holy Church, which valued simple living, that she was so poor at navigating social situations.
Meanwhile, Lyushenne, with a faint smile, began to explain, dispelling Mariabel’s concerns.
“My presence will not sow seeds of discord in the human society.”
“But Your Highness…”
Lyushenne dismissed Mariabel’s concerns, but she did not seem convinced.
“Lyushenne and Princess Elizabeth of the Espana Imperial Kingdom are sworn sisters.”
At this point, Alicia provided a helpful interjection.
“Eh?? N-no way! You’re lying!?”
Mariabel denied Alicia’s explanation, which defied common sense, with almost spinal reflex speed.
“It’s true. And through discussions with ‘Beth-chan,’ it has been decided that the territory of the Espana Imperial Kingdom will be reduced to its former size upon her coronation. As a result, the Party Members will return to their respective homelands and ascend to the throne, thus restoring the monarchies. In such a situation, it is currently possible to include the Hasthatitia Kingdom as well.”
Lyushenne’s explanation made the oracle feel like a more immediate and realistic issue for Mariabel, leaving her stunned.
While Seira tilted her head, unable to keep up with the extraordinary scale of the conversation, Elise stood up this time.
“While the conversation is getting interesting, Lyushenne and I are bound by an even stronger bond than being sworn sisters.”
Elise, with her generously endowed large breasts, puffed out her chest with pride.
Naturally, her large breasts jiggled with each movement.
At the same time, her slightly rounded belly swayed.
However, with the removal of the waist nipper that had been constricting her abdomen, Elise seemed to have regained her composure.
She had her usual audacious attitude.
The cat ears she had worn as a countermeasure against her elder sister seemed to have been flung into the void along with the waist nipper.
Behind Elise, Freya and Shera took deep breaths, inflating their stomachs, and began a comical skit.
This was likely an act of camaraderie, seeing Seira and Mariabel as allies.
The other Party Members watched with lukewarm gazes.
In contrast, Seira and Mariabel wore expressions of bewilderment.
“It is presumptuous to associate the Kingdom of Portland, a small country in the Southern Nations, with the Wahl Imperial Kingdom, which once boasted the largest territory in the human world.”
Even the remarkable Mariabel didn’t seem to understand the relationship between Elise and Lyushenne.
Meanwhile, Seira, though not understanding the situation, sided with Mariabel.
Seeing their reactions, Elise wore a triumphant look, feeling she had won.
However, she seemed oblivious to the underhanded scheme Freya and Shera were plotting behind her.
“Here’s a hint. The founding king of my homeland, the Kingdom of Portland, was the ancient hero Enshery Portra, known as the ‘Hero of the Staff.’ Her sacred remains, carrying the ‘Holy Staff of Dawn and Dusk,’ are enshrined as the keystone of the barrier.”
Seira and Mariabel’s eyes widened in confusion at the information Elise provided.
Moments later, Mariabel seemed to have a flash of insight.
“M-might it be… that the keystone in the Western Nations is located in the Wahl Imperial Kingdom…?”
Mariabel had guessed correctly, but she seemed to be in disbelief.
Lyushenne, with a playful smile at her reaction, eagerly began her explanation.
“The Wahl Imperial Kingdom, where I was born, was founded by one of the ancient heroes, Saliand Wahl, known as the ‘Hero of the Sword.’ Although I have yet to reach his mausoleum, his sacred remains, holding the ‘Holy Sword of Twilight,’ surely guard the barrier. My journey’s purpose is to visit Saliand Wahl’s resting place, maintain the state of the keystone, and receive the accompanying holy sword to ascend to the throne.”
Seira and Mariabel were struck speechless by the accounts of Elise and Lyushenne.
They were utterly astonished.
“Now then, please begin the self-introductions for those from the Northern Nations.”
Lyushenne, judging that she had provided the necessary explanations, turned her gaze to Edele and Eria.
“Please wait a moment! The Northern Nations are the domain of the Demonkin, and there is no land inhabited by humans there, is there…?”
It was Mariabel who refuted Lyushenne’s statement.
Having had her homeland ravaged by demons, she seemed to view the Northern Nations, inhabited by demons, as a veritable hellscape.
“Indeed, at present, the Northern Nations are demonic territories. However, if we look back through history, there were several human nations. Furthermore, as Swan Hilda mentioned, there are keystones in the Northern Nations.”
“Th-that’s true… Swan Hilda did explain that earlier.”
Mariabel finally seemed to be convinced.
Seira, on the other hand, seemed to have completely given up on thinking.
“Then, I will begin my self-introduction.”
Eria stood up under Lyushenne’s gaze.
Her delicate, pale blue hair was a mark of the Castina royalty, known as the ‘Miraculous Flow of Castina,’ and she was a beautiful girl with gentle blue eyes.
Eria, who had fallen into prostitution, had regained her royal dignity through her training in ‘Princess Harem.’
“My name is Eria Akue de Castina. I ask for your kindness, Saintess Seira, and Knight Mariabel.”
“Eria’s homeland was once the Kingdom of Castina, located in the Northern Nations. And Eria’s unusual hair color is a characteristic of the Castina royalty.”
Swan Hilda provided supplementary information regarding Eria’s self-introduction.
As Swan Hilda was a Valkyrie, Seira and Mariabel had no choice but to believe her.
“Furthermore, after joining ‘Princess Harem,’ I awakened to water magic. I received basic magic training from Princess Elise. I am also studying the rapier under the tutelage of the master duelist, Princess Lyushenne.”
Having successfully completed her self-introduction, Eria naturally took her seat.
“Am I last…? I’m a little nervous, but I will begin my self-introduction. My name is Edele Yung-Fern de Desmonia. Saintess Seira, Knight Mariabel, I ask for your kindness.”
Edele’s self-introduction was befitting of a princess.
Upon hearing her introduction, Seira asked a question.
“Given the previous exchanges, is it possible that either Eria or Edele is a descendant of one of the ancient heroes?”
Seira’s questioning gaze struck at the heart of the matter.
Hearing the question, Edele smiled sweetly.
“One of the ancient heroes, Azarii Desmon, known as the ‘Hero of the Shield,’ is my ancestor. However, I am from a branch family… and the main family’s princess is also enrolled in ‘Princess Harem,’ isn’t that right, Swan Hilda? Speaking of which… Swan Hilda hasn’t introduced herself.”
“I proved I am a Valkyrie, so I finished at the beginning.”
“Is that so…? Swan Hilda’s mother was named Hild, and although she has passed away, she was said to be a ‘Valkyrie.’ By the way, her father is Gandaro, who is the Demon King.”
“Ede, you shouldn’t reveal my secrets. Please forgive me~.”
“Alright. This concludes the self-introductions of myself and Princess Jumilande, now Swan Hilda, my cousin.”
“Swan Hilda’s father is the Demon King Gandaro…”
Having been informed of this exceptionally major secret, Seira and Mariabel’s eyes welled up with tears.
They realized that leaking the information gained from these introductions, much of which was highly classified and could lead to death, had already put them in a position where they could not leave ‘Princess Harem.’
